Ia Orana Maria (Hail Mary)

Paul Gauguin

Created:
Movement:
1891
Post-Impressionism
key Notes:
Tahitian Madonna, Primitivism
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Dimensions:
44 3/4 x 34 1/2 in. (113.7 x 87.6 cm)
medium:
Oil on canvas
Difficulty:
Easy
New game
story of the work:

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Ia Orana Maria (Hail Mary) by Paul Gauguin

Ia Orana Maria (Hail Mary), painted by Paul Gauguin in 1891, is an exemplary work that reflects the artist's fascination with Tahitian culture and his quest for a purer form of artistic expression. This oil on canvas painting depicts a Tahitian interpretation of the Christian Annunciation, blending Western religious iconography with Polynesian elements. Gauguin's use of vibrant colors and simplified forms in this work marks a departure from European artistic conventions, contributing to the development of Symbolism and Primitivism. The painting is significant for its role in challenging the Eurocentric perspectives of the time, offering a unique synthesis of cultural motifs. Gauguin, who moved to Tahiti in search of an unspoiled paradise, sought to escape the constraints of European society, and his works from this period reflect his complex relationship with the island and its people. "Ia Orana Maria" remains a pivotal piece in understanding Gauguin's impact on modern art and his influence on subsequent generations of artists.

Description of the work:

Ia Orana Maria (Hail Mary) by Paul Gauguin

Created in 1891, Paul Gauguin's "Ia Orana Maria" is an oil on canvas painting that exemplifies his Post-Impressionist style, characterized by bold colors and simplified forms. The artwork depicts a Tahitian interpretation of the Christian Annunciation, blending religious iconography with Polynesian cultural elements, and is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Artwork Photograph Source:
Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Ia Orana Maria (Hail Mary)